Cricket: Diss up and running with victory over Downham Town

17:27 09 May 2012

Diss finally got their Norfolk Alliance Premier Division campaign off and running with a resounding victory against once mighty Downham Town.

Under grey skies, Diss bowled their counterparts out for just 116, and then knocked the runs off in double quick time, with eight wickets in hand. James Wilby secured the man of the match accolade with an uncharacteristically patient 47 not out which saw Diss home. The majority of the early damage was inflicted by Chris Cooper with a devastating spell of spin bowling; yielding four wickets from just 3.5 overs.

Simon Cooper won the toss and elected to bowl, and the game was very much in the balance for the first 20 overs, with Downham just two wickets down, courtesy of Cooper himself, whilst going along at a steady rate.

The introduction of Williamson turned the game in Diss’ favour as the little spin master wove his web of confusion, first accounting for Tullet thanks to a magnificent catch in the deep by Ben Spinks, and then, after some sharp work by Will Dawson behind the stumps, having Coe bamboozled and stumped for just nine. These wickets were sandwiched by a couple of scalps by the ever-reliable Robert Tooke, who was slightly off-the-boil, though you wouldn’t guess that looking at his figures.

Downham’s hopes of clawing themselves up to a respectable total were demolished by the buoyant Chris Cooper, who teased and tortured what was left of the Downham batting line-up, picking up four wickets in as many overs, while conceding just seven runs. Downham were left shell-shocked, 116 all out.

After the early departure of Spinks (6) who misjudged a straight one, Diss chased down the modest total with consummate ease. Wilby and David Tooke (36) shared an excellent partnership, with Tooke in particular going some way to banish his demons from last year. As David fell, brother Robert entered the fray and dispatched the ball to all parts in a belligerent 17 not out. Diss romped home with 30 overs to spare, and now sit pretty, just one point behind Old Buckenham at the top of the league.

Diss 117 for two (J. Wilby 47 not out) beat Downham Town 116 all out (C. Cooper 4 for 7) by eights wickets.